Chestnut Hill College men’s team welcomes 13 recruits to second-year program

Chestnut Hill College’s men’s lacrosse coach Richard Carrington has announced that 13 student-athletes will be joining the Griffins for the 2011 season.

Once again, Carrington has assembled a regionally diverse class featuring several high school captains and award winners. The newcomers represent Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada.

“The 2014 class has the potential to impact our second-year program right away,” Carrington said. “Defensively we added some guys with size and athleticism, and a goalie who will push our current starter. Offensively, the additions will give our attack and midfield units a completely different look. If this young offense can get acclimated quickly, I see us putting up much improved numbers on the board next year.”

The newcomer in goal is Koltin Fatzinger (Thornton, CO). Aside from being an accomplished high school quarterback, he was a four-time varsity Most Valuable Player (MVP) and team captain for the lacrosse team. Additionally, he’s received all-conference honors three times and all-state honors twice. Fatzinger is also a two-time Baggataway Award winner.

Schaffer was also a dual-sport dynamo for his high school. As the captain of the football team he collected several awards and honors, including being selected as the L-L League Linebacker of the Year and L-L League Section 1 MVP by the Lancaster Sports Writers.

On the lacrosse field, Schaffer also served as captain and he was named 1st team all-league and all-section as a senior. Schaffer culminated his fantastic high school career by being named the 2010 Warwick High School Outstanding Male Athlete.

Miskell also brings a high school football background to the Griffin defense. Miskell is transferring from Cayuga Community College, where he led the defense and wore many hats for the team. His athleticism allowed him to play both close defense and long stick midfield, and he took many key face-offs. His versatility will be relied on heavily in the upcoming season.

Anderson is a two-way player who served as a team captain last year, and he was a 2010 Maryland Scholar Athlete Award recipient.

Sonderschafer is a three-time team offensive MVP and Suburban One All-Conference performer. Johnsen accumulated several accolades during his high school career. In addition to being an all-star hockey player, he also served as a captain for his lacrosse team. On the lacrosse field, Johnsen scored over 100 varsity points, he was an All-Star/All-Shore selection in 2009 and 2010, he was team MVP, and he was a 1st Team SCLCA “A” South honoree.

Caramante is a big midfielder from Long Island, and he uses his stick work and keen sense of the game to quietly score goals and stockpile assists. Stojakovich was a team captain and 1st team all-conference performer as a senior, and he will also be counted on to take some face-offs for the Griffins.

Johnson will immediately be one of the top athletes in the conference. His size, speed, vision, and shot allow him to effectively play either midfield or attack. Johnson racked up the points over the last two seasons, and as a senior he was named 2nd team All-WCAC at attack.

Norton is an extremely quick finisher, and he has the ability to overpower goalies with his outside shot.

Franzone is an athletic player with the size to be a force inside. Melnychenko is not just a typical Canadian finisher. He can use both hands and he’s comfortable dodging from multiple angles. Melnychenko had a breakout summer with the Spartans of the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse Association. He finished the season tied 10th for most goals in the highly competitive league.

Festa, like Miskell, is also a transfer from Cayuga. During Festa’s last year at Cayuga he served as team captain, and he was named team offensive MVP and 2nd-Team All-Region 3.

The Griffins look to add these pieces of the puzzle this fall when they participate in the Nick Colleluori Classic on Saturday, October 9th. The 2010 classic will be held at Ridley High School and the Griffins will be competing against two NCAA Division I opponents. Tournament proceeds go to helping the HEADstrong Foundation’s fight against all forms of blood cancer.